Target throwing apparatus



1947- P. B. RUTHERFORD ET AL 46 TARGET THROWING APPARATUS 'Filed Jan.26, 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Dec. 9, 1947.

P. B. RUTHERFORD ET AL TARGET THRbwING APPARATUS Fild Jan. 26, 1944 5Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS PETE/P afiurmmroflo BY an/4w R. 10575? AW R P.B. RUTHERFORD ET AL Dec. 9, 1947.

TARGET THROWING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 26, 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORSPETE 5. RUTHERFORD 00/1/1140 R. wsrm V BY A a r Patented Dec. 9, 1947TARGET THROWING APPARATUS Peter B. Rutherford and Donald R. Luster,Herkimer, N. Y., assignors to Remington Arms Company, Inc., Bridgeport,Conn., a corporation of Delaware Application January 26, 1944, SerialNo. 519,722

32 Claims.

The present invention relates, in general, to a target throwing device,and, in particular, to improved equipment for throwing disk-shapedtargets of frangible material such as compositions of clay or limestoneand pitch, commonly known as clay birds. Moreover, the equipment isreadily convertible from a skeet shooting device to one adapted for trapshooting.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved target throwingdevice applicable for distributing targets at various angles and atvarious elevations throughout a target field. A further object is toprovide a trap having a main spring and parts associated therewith sothat the tension of the main spring and the angle of acceleration of thethrowing arm of the trap may be increased for throwing doubles. Afurther object is to provide for rapid deceleration of the throwing armand to reduce the spread of the throwing arc. A still further object isto provide means for automatically locking the throwing arm in cockedposition and preventing release of the throwing arm until the cockingmeans is returned to its normal position.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will bedescribed in greater detail in the following specification.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the target throwing device of thisinvention adapted for skeet shooting.

Fig. 1a is a plan view of the trap supporting means and trap basemounted thereon.

Fig. 2 is a Plan view showing the frame, the carrier head and carrier inthe position they assume after a target has been thrown and beforecooking for the throwing of a second target.

Fig. 2a is a plan view similar to Fig. 2, showing a carrier head held incocked position by the trigger and the trigger locked due to theincomplete return of the cocking mechanism.

Fig. 2b is a fragmentary side elevation of the head of the frame showingthe carrier head supporting post and the trigger and release latchsupporting pins.

Fig. 2c is a fragmentary partial assembly side elevation of the head ofthe frame on line 2.c- 2c of Fig. 2.- For greater clearness, the pawlassembly is shown detached.

Fig. 2:1 is a plan view similar to Fig. 2a, showing the parts in theover-cocked position which they assume near the end of the cockingmovement.

Fig. 2e is a plan view showing the trap frame and the position of thecarrier head and carrier at the end of their throwing movement.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of a fragmentary part of the frame includingthe base.

Fig. 4 is an end elevation of the base including the frame connectingbracket;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary side elevation of the head of the frame on line55 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary side elevation of the head of the frame on line6-5 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the pawl guard.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the target throwing device mounted on amodified base for trap shooting.

. Fig. 8a is a fragmentary perspective view of the angling handle shownin Fig. 8 in position for throwing doubles.

Fig. 9 is a plan view of the base and turret shown in Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a side elevation of the base and turret shown in Fig'. 8. I

Fig. 11 is a detail of a the release latch control.

Referring to the drawings, the target throwing trap, adapted for skeetshooting, is shown in Fig. l, and comprises an inverted L-shaped baseIf) (see Fig. 1a) which may be of metal or other suitable material suchas plywood, and is provided with three verticalapertures l6, l6 and IT,as shown in Fig. la. The apertures I6 are closed slots of substantially6 spread and provide means for pivotally adjusting the base on suitablesupporting means. The latter, as shown, may comprise a table l8 havingthree studs l9 fixed therein adapted to project upwardly into theapertures of the base, the base 15 being fixedly secured to the table l8by tightening suitable nuts 20 threaded on the upper ends of the studs.

The base is provided with a transversely disposed vertical .web 22 (seeFigs. 1a, 3 and 4) having spaced parallel sloping sides 23 whichterminate in bosses 24 respectively at the intersection of each sidewith the base. Each boss is drilled transversely and forms a bearing toacoommodate a crankshaft 25 which, as hereinafter described, is providedfor cocking the carrier of the trap.

A substantially rectangular aperture 26 is shown in the base I5 betweenthe two bosses 24, the longitudinal axis of the aperture being inalignment with the longitudinal axis of the crankshaft 25.

The vertically disposed web 22 has apair of drilled holes 21 locatedadjacent its upper edge to receive a pair of threaded bolts 28 forsecuring a bracket indicated generally at 29 to the vertical web 22.

The bracket comprises a T-shaped cast meme slight modification of herconsisting of two plates 30 and 30' at substantially right angles toeach other, the laterally disposed plate 30' having a bolt hole 32 atone end and an arcuate substantially vertical slot 32' of 10 spread atits opposite end.- As mentioned above, the bracket 29 is fastened to theweb 22 of the base I by a pair of bolts 28, one of which extends throughthe slot 32' of the laterally extending plate 38 and the other in thedrilled hole 32. By loosening the nuts 28 of the bolts 28, the bracket29 may be tilted through a small arc in a transverse plane substantiallyvertical t0 the base. The'upper portion 33 of the plate 36 of thebracket extends at substantially right angles to the laterally disposedplate 35 and lies in a horizontal plane above the upper edge of thelatter, see Fig. 3, and is provided with a pair of spaced bolt holes '34for the purpose hereinafter described.

Supported on the bracket 29 is a frame 55 which, as shown, comprises acast beam, substantially L-shaped in cross section embodying a flangedportion 35 and substantially vertical wall portion 36; and provided witha tail end portion 31 and head end portion 38. The tail end is formedwith an enlarged substantially rectangular planar section 39 which isconsiderably thicker than the flanged portion 35 of the frame and isprovided with a pair of diagonally disposed vertically drilled boltholes 49. The wall 36 of the beam is provided with a verticallydepending ear 42 (see Fig. 3), at a point substantially beneath the tailend portion 3'! of the frame to provide a bearing for a pivot pin 43which, in the skeet shooting trap, is adapted to support a bell cranklever 44 as hereinafter described.

The head end 38 of the beam or frame is substantially hook-shaped, asshown in the plan View in Figs. 2 and 2a, and constitutes parallel upperand lower substantially horizontal flanges 45 and 46 respectively asshown in Fig. 2b, spaced apart vertically by a relatively shortinterconnecting web 4'! along the outer periphery of the hook 38.

Both the upper and lower flanges 55 and 55 are provided at their outerends respectively with vertically drilled aligned holes or bearings 49and 59, which as shown in the present embodiment may be equipped withcylindrical bushings 50 and 50' adapted to rotatably support asubstantially vertical carrier supporting post or shaft 52 in asubstantially free manner, but it will be understood that the bushings50 and 55' are not indispensable to the support of the shaft 52, the

latter being supportable, satisfactorily, simply in the bearings 49 and49' of the frame. Rearward of the curved head portion 38 of the frame,the upper flange 45 and lower flange 55 are formed'with laterallyprojecting bosses 53 and 53 respectively, the upper boss 53 having avertically drilled hole 54 and the lower boss 53' having a counterboreddrilled hole 54' which is in axial alignment with the upper hole 54.These holes constitute bearings for supporting a trigger pivot pin I39as described below. Between the drilled holes 49 and 54 and adjacent theback side of the head end 38 of the frame is a third pair of verticallydrilled holes 55 and 55', the hole 55. being drilled through the upperflange 55 in axial alignment with the hole 55' which is coll-nterboredin the lower flange 45. These holes are adapted to form bearings forsupporting a latch pivot pin I32, as shown in Fig. 2b. On the side ofthe frame rearwardly of the bosses 53 and 53 is a single verticallydrilled boss 56 for pivotally supporting a safety hook 51. Intermediatethe tail and head ends of the frame is formed a substantiallykeel-shaped vertically depending web 58 comprising an extension of thelower edge 36 of the frame. This keelshaped web 58 is provided with ahorizontally drilled hole 59 (see Fig. 3) and an arcuate slot 69, thelatter being spaced from the hole a distance corresponding substantiallyto the distance between the drilled holes 34 in the upper edge 33 of thelongitudinally extending plate of the T-shaped bracket 29. The frame maythus be fastened to the bracket 29 by suitable fastening means such asthe bolts 34 shown in Figs. 1 and 4. By loosening these bolts, the frame35 may be adjusted at an angle to the horizontal plane of the base l5.

The carrier is shown at 62 inFig. 1 and is substantially of conventionalconstruction comprising a long narrow arm of suitable material such asaluminum or a plastic having a rail 62 along one edge. The carrier isadapted to be mounted on the head end 38 of the trap frame 35 by meansof a suitable carrier head which is indicated at 63 and comprises arelatively solid rectilinear block, one end of which is substantiallyrectangular in cross section and bifurcated to form a pair of verticallyspaced bosses 54 (see Figs. 5 and 6) which are drilled vertically toprovide axially aligned holes 64. As shown in Figs. 2 and 2a, thesebosses 64 are disposed at an angle of substantially 30 to thelongitudinal axis of the carrier head 63. The

top planar surface 63 of the carrier head is inclined to its axis ofrotation, both transversely and longitudinally, for the purposehereinafter described, the rear portion of the carrier head beingprovided with a pair of drilled holes 65 and 66, the hole 65 beingsmooth bored and the hole 65 tapped. The carrier head 63 is adapted tobe pivotally mounted on the upper flange of the frame (see Fig. 20) bymeans of the supporting shaft 52, and, to this end, a cylindricalbushing Bl, rotatable freely on the shaft 52, is suitably secured in thesmooth bored hole of the carrier head 63,

The carrier 62 is shown secured on the upwardly inclined and tilted topsurface 63' of the carrier head by means of a single bolt 53 whichthreadedly engages the drilled and tapped,

hole in the upper end of the post is adapted to rest on the upper edgeof the bushing, thus preventing the post 52 from dropping down out ofthe frame and carrier. A well known type of locating stud 68 is alsoprovided on the upper surface 63' of the carrier head 63 and is adaptedto be received in a suitable aperture in carrier 52. The surface of thecarrier is parallel to the surface 53' of the carrier head, which istransversely inclined as above noted to place the forward edge 620 ofthe carrier below a plane perpendicular to the shaft 52 and includingthe rear edge of the carrier, an'arrangement which increases theaccuracy of flight of the targets when throwing doubles.

. The outer end of the carrier head 63 is substantially L-shaped incross section as indicated by the dotted lines in Figs. 2 and 2a, havinga vertical web E9 extending downwardly from the forward edge thereof. Asuitable boss 12 is formed at the outer end of the web 19, the bossbeing drilled vertically, as shown at l3 in Fig. 2c, and provided with alaterally extending portion 14 (see Figs. 2a and 2e) having a dependinglug 75. The latter has a Vertical surface 16 which makes an angle ofsubstantially 52 with the 1ongitudinal axis of the carrier andconstitutes an abutment for a pawl 11.

The pawl 11 is adapted to be pivotally supported on the boss 12 by a pinl8 which is secured as hereinafter described in the Vertically drilledhole E3 of the boss 12 and comprises a sector-shaped block having acounterweight portion 19 and an integrally cast upstanding tapered webportion 89 provided at its vertical wall with a transversely drilledhole 82 (see Figs. 2 and 26) adapted to be positioned substantiallyopposite the vertical surface it of the lug 15.- A tooth 83 is formed atthe extreme forward end of the pawl, The apex of the sector-shaped pawlis rounded to provide a smooth cylindrical surface 84 and is drilledvertically, as at 85, to receive the assembly pin 18 which is providedwith a head on its lower end, the upper end of the pin being inserted inthe vertically drilled hole 13 of the boss 12 and secured therein by apin 9? adapted to project through transversely drilled holes in the boss12 and the upper end of the pin 18 respectively. A light coil spring 88is shown mounted in the transversely drilled aperture 82in the Webportion 99 of the pawl, the free end of the spring being adapted thus toabut the vertical angularly disposed surface 19 of the lug 75 to urgethe tooth 83 of the pawl in a counterclockwise direction, as seen inFigs. 2 and 2e.

The rear end of the carrier head is formed on its underside with ashoulder 89 which makes an angle of substantially 90 with thelongitudinal axis of the carrier.

Rotatable on the carrier head supporting post or shaft 52 between thespaced flanges a5 and d6 of the frame is a toothed disk 99 which, asshown, comprises a ratchet sector comprising five teeth 92 in theperiphery of the disk sub-tending an angle of substantially 65. At apoint on the bottom of the disk substantially diametrically opposite theteeth is a downwardly protruding cylindrical lug 93. A suitable hub 99is formed integrally on the bottom of the disk 99 having an integrallyjoined arm 9! (see Fig. 5) provided with a bifurcated end 94, the armbeing shaped substantially like a bell crank lever with its bifurcatedend 94 extending beneath and in parallel relation to the undersurface ofthe disk opposite the teeth 99 thereof and provided with verticalaxially aligned drilled holes 94. A hole 95 is also drilled in thecenter of the disk 99 (see Fig. 2c) in which is secured a cylindricalbushing 95 for rotatably mounting the disk on the shaft 52. It will benoted that the upper end of the bushing 95 extends slightly above theupper surface of the disk 99 so as to form a collar 96'.

The disk is adapted to be rotated in a clockwise and counterclockwisedirection on the shaft 52 by means of a cooking bar 9'1 which ispivotally secured at its forward end in the bifurcated end 99 of the arm9! of the disk 99 by a pin 98 suitably secured in the drilled holes'94'thereof. The rear end of the cocking bar 91 is,

in the case of the skeet trap (shownin Fig. 1)

pivotally connected to the arm of a cooking crank 99 which is fixedlysecured at its lower end to one end of the crankshaft 25. The latter, asmentioned above, is rotatably supported in the horizontally alignedbearings 29 of the base. The cooking bar is provided, as shown, with a90 twist so that its forward end may be inserted between thebifurcations of the arm 9| while its rear end is in substantially thevertical plane of the cooking crank 99. The opposite end of thecrankshaft'ZB extends through the base of the trap, as shown in Figs. 1aand 4 and is provided with a suitable crank handle I99, of well knownconstruction, which is secured to the crankshaft to provide means formanually operating the cooking bar 91.

The force required to project the targets from the carrier 62 isprovided by a main spring I02 which is anchored at its rear end by meansof an eye bolt I93 to one leg I94 of a U-shaped bracket I05. The latter,as shown, is secured in one of the drilled holes 49 in the tail end 39of the frame while the opposite end I99 of the bracket is secured in adrilled hole I91 of a boss I98 which extends laterally from the side ofthe frame. Suitable collars I94" and HM are shown mounted on the leg I04of the bracket both below and above the eye I93 to support the leg I94in the hole 59 of the frame and prevent the eye from moving verticallyon the leg H14 respectively. Mounted in this manner, the U-shapedbracket H15 constitutes a guard to protect the operator in the event thespring I92 should break.

The forward end of the spring is provided with a hook I99 which isadapted to engage in a drilled hole in the rear end of a link l H),hereinafter termed the spring link, which is a substantially flat pieceof metal provided with a twist so that its rear end lies in asubstantially vertical plane while its forward end is in the plane ofthe bifurcations 6d of the carrier head 63. The forward portion H l ofthe link (see Figs. 2 and 2a) is substantially spatular shaped and isformed at its forward edge with a shoulder H2 which makes an angle ofsubstantially 60 with the longitudinal axis of the link. A hole H3 ,(seeFig. 6) is drilled vertically in the forward end of the link H9substantially on the longitudinal axis thereof. The link l N] is thusadapted to be pivotally assembled on the carrier head 63 by axiallyaligning the hole N3 of the link with the drilled holes 64' in thebifurcated end 84 of the carrier head 99 and inserting a pin H4 in thesealigned holes. When so connected, the shoulder H2 of the spring link H9is so located as to cooperatively engage the angularly disposed shoulder89 of the carrier head 63, as shown by the dotted line position of the.carrier head 53 in Fig. 2e in the manner and for the purpose hereinafterdescribed.

The trigger 55 is pivotally supported on the frame by the pin I39 asdescribed above and comprises a member which is U-shaped at one end toprovide a cam surface I 55 and a hook portion H5 respectively. Theopposite end of the trigger is formed as a relatively thick block H5,one edge of which comprises a smooth curve ll! of substantially one andthree-quarters inches radius terminating in a rear edge H1. A hole H8 isdrilled vertically in the trigger intermediate its ends to accommodatethe pin I30 for pivotally supporting thetrigger between the laterallyextending bosses 53 and 53 of the frame. A suitable lip H9 is formed onthe edge of the and is drilled to provide a hole H9 for attachingsuitable trigger actuating means.

In the skeet trap shown in the drawings, the trigger actuating meanscomprises a rod I20 having a hook adapted to be engaged in the hole I IQof the trigger lip and suitably secured at its opposite end to the bellcrank lever 44 (see Figs. 1 and 3) which is pivotally supported on asuitable shaft to at the rear end 42 of the frame, the bell crank lever4 i being actuated by a pull string or cable, not shown.

The curvilinear portion II! of the trigger is adapted to be engaged by acorresponding curvilinear portion I22 of a trigger lock and releaselatch I22 which is pivotally supported by the vertical pin I32 betweenthe flanges 45 and 46 of the frame (see Figs. 2, 2a, 2d and 2e). The endportions of this latch on opposite sides of its pivot are identified bynumerals tilt and I24. Part I24 is provided with a hole for receivingone end of a coil spring I25, the opposite end of the spring I25 beingsuitably anchored to the rear end of the pivoted safety hook -1.alternative construction illustrated in Fig. 11 and commonly used in theskeet trap, the safety hook 5-7 is omitted, since the trap can be madesafe by pulling lever I60 rearwardly to take lug 93 out of contact withpart I23 of release latch I22, and the spring E25 is anchored to a stud510 which replaces the safety hook pivot pin.

It will be clear that the release latch I22 will be constantly urged bythe coil spring I25 to rotate in a counterclockwise direction (see Figs.2 and 2a) and is thus adapted to slide its curved periphery i22' intolocking engagement with the correspondingly curved recess I I? in therear end I is of the trigger 55. In fact, the spring I25 causes thelatch I22 to lock the trigger as soon as the latter is cammed intoengagement with the pawl III as hereinafter described to hold thethrowing arm or carrier in cocked position. The carrier cannot then bereleased until the log 93' carries the latch I 22 out of engagement withthe trigger, as shown in Fig. 2.

The safety hock 51, which is pivotally supported on the laterallyextending boss 56 on the side of the frame, is adapted to be manuallyoperated to lock the trigger 55 in cocked position as shown by thedotted'lines in Fig. 2a. To this end the safety hook has an upstandingrib I 28 at its rear end provided with a hole in which the rear end ofthe release latch spring I25 is anchored, When the operator desires topositively lock the trigger 55, he engages his left thumb against therib I28 of the safety lever 5i and pushes the lever clockwise therebyengaging the hooked end 51' of the lever over the rear edge III' of thetrigger; In this position, the rear end of the release latch spring I25will have been swung past dead center, and, consequently, acts to holdthe hook 5? or the safety lever 51 in engagement with the trigger. Itwill thus be clear that in the present embodiment, the safety hook 57has two functions, namely to positively lock the trigger and to providean anchor for the rear end of the release latch spring I25. The hook 51is a safety feature which is especially suited to the remote cooking aswell as remote release (see Fig. 8) which is characteristic of a trap orstraight trap installation as distinguished from a skeet installation.

From the foregoing description, it will be clear that the pawl Ti, whichis pivotally mounted on the boss I2 of the carrier head 63, isconstantly In the urged by the spring 88 to pivot counterclockwise, asshown in Fig. 2, and hence to engage its tooth 83 in the teeth 92 of theratchet disk 90, the latter being so disposed with respect to the bossI2 of the carrier head that its teeth lie substantially opposite thepawl in position for engagement thereby when required.

Moreover, it will be evident from the foregoing description that thepawl TI is of unusually heavy construction, comprising a solid blockhaving a counterweight portion I9 so disposed that the center of mass ofthe pawl lies well to the rear of the pawl tooth 83 and adjacent theoutside edge of the pawl, as seen in Fig. 2. In accordance with thisconstruction in its normal position as shown in Fig. 2, the pawl toothB3 is held resiliently in engagement with a tooth of the ratchet disk bythe light spring 88 and remains in engagement therewith as the carrier62 and carrier head 63 are drawn back into cocked position, as shown inFig. 2 and hereinafter described. On subsequent release of the carrierhead 53, the latter swings counterclockwise with great rapidity carryingwith it a pivoted pawl TI and due both to the inertia of thecounterweighted pawl and to the centrifugal force acting at its centerof mass, the pawl pivots slightly clockwise or outwardly, overcoming theresistance of the light spring 88 so that the tooth 83 of the pawlreadily clears the teeth 92 of the disk 90 as the pawl passes thereby.Thereafter, when the carrier head 63 is brought to a sudden halt at theend of its throwing arc, in the manner hereinafter described, theinertia of the pawl pivots it counterclockwise thus moving its tooth 8-3inwardly into engagement with the peripher of the disk 9! as shown inFig. 2e. On return of the carrier head 63, the pawl TI is againcentrifugally moved and held outward out of contact with the teeth ofthe disk 90, and, as the carrier head comes to rest in partially cockedposition (see Fig. 2), the pawl tooth is moved against the periphery ofthe disk by the spring 88 ready to again contact a tooth of the disk 90and stop further forward movement of the carrier.

Although the counterweighted pawl has been found to work satisfactorily,it may be considered desirable to provide suitable means to guard theratchet teeth 52 so as to doubly insure against engagement of the tooth83 of the pawl therewith during relative movement of the toothed disk 99and pawl TI.

A suitable ratchet teeth guard means is shown in Fig. 7 and comprises arelatively thin flat sheet metal member I31 having a collar portion I38'apertured to rotatably fit over the collar 96' formed by the upstandingend of the disk bushing 96, as shown in Fig, 2c. The reach'I39 of theguard member is formed with two substantially vertical stops Mil and I42 disposed in planes at substantially right angles to each other andsuit ably spaced apart for the purpose hereinafter described so as toaccommodate loosely therebetween the web portion ID of the carrier head63, the reach I39 having a uard finger I45 at its outer end.Intermediate the stops is an upwardly projecting teat Hi3 constituting apilot for a coil sprin I45 which is mounted substantially vertically onthe guard, the upper end of the spring being suitably located on web HI.One means for this purpose comprises an aperture I55 in the web portionit) of the carrier head as shown in Fig. 2c.

The guard i3! is thus pressed down in frictional.

engagement with the upper surface of the ratchet disk 90. The outer endor guard finger I45 of the reach I39 overlies the teeth 92 of the disk,as

shown in Figs. 2, 2a, 2d and 2e, forming a tooth guard adapted to lie inthe path of the pawl.

In accordance with the above construction, the guard member I31 will bepivoted'clockw'se or counterclockwise relative to the ratchet disk 90corresponding to movement of the carrier head 63 relative thereto.However, due to the spacing of the vertical stops I40 and I42 and thefrictional engagement of the guard with the surface of the ratchet disk,a lost motion occurs between the guard and carrier head whenever thelatter changes its direction of rotation. Thus, the position'of theguard finger I45 relative to the tooth 83 of the pawl is automaticallychanged to prevent the pawl I1 from engaging the teeth 92 of the ratchetdisk 90 when the carrier 62 is released from its cocked position, asshown in Fig. 2a, and swings around to the limit of its throwing are asshown in Fig. 2e. Moreover, the guard is adapted to enable the pawl toengage in the teeth of-the disk when the carrier is returned to itsnormal position, as shown in Fig. 2, and hereinafter described.

' The operation of the target throwing trap for skeet shooting is asfollows: Assuming the carrier 62is in its normal position, shown in Fig.2, the tooth 83 of the pawl 11 is spring urged into engagement with oneof the teeth 92 of the ratchet disk 90, thereby connecting the carrierhead to the ratchet disk. When the operator pulls the operating handle Irearwardly, the cocking bar 91 is drawn rearwardly thereby rotating theratchet disk 00 clockwise on the post 52. Since the pawl is engaged in atooth of the ratchet disk, the pawl and carrier head 53 are pivotedclockwise thereby tensioning the main spring I02 until the roundedperipheral apex 84 of the pawl 'II engages the cam surface I I of thetrigger as shown in Fig. 2d. The engagement of these'surfaces positivelycams the trigger 55 counterclockwise about its pivot pin I30 so that thehooked end I I5 of the trigger is rotated into a position in front ofthe forward edge of the pawl. During this clockwise rotation of theratchet disk 09, its lug 03 is moved out of engagement with the rear endI23 of the release latch I22 thereby releasing the latch whereupon itscurved periphery 122' is drawn into cooperative en agement with thecorresponding curved surface I I! of the trigger 55 by the coil springI25. The release latch 122 thus locks the trigger 55. Thereafter theoperator moves the handle I00 forwardly thereby rotating the ratchetdisk 90 counterclockwise and returning the disk 90 to its normalposition. As the ratchet disk begins its return motion, the carrier head53 and pawl I? tend to follow the ratchet disk 90 due to the force ofthe tensioned main spring I22 acting on the carrier head 63 and actuallydo move back slightly until the forward end of the pawl 71 engages inthe hook I I5 of the locked trigger, as shown in Fig. 2a. Thereupon thepawl 11 and carrier head are securely held in cocked position, the pawlTI being moved further into the encompassment of the trigger hook H5 asa result of the camming action of the engaging surfaces of the pawl andratchet disk as a tooth 02 of the ratchet disk moves out of engagementwith the pawl tooth 83.

As the operator continues to move the ratchet disk 99 counterclockwise,a point is fina ly reached at which the lug 93 on the sector engages therear end I23 of the release latch I22 and pivots the release latchclockwise, thereby withdrawing the latch from looking engagement withthe trigger 55. Since the trigger pivot pin 10 I30 is as shownsubstantially in direct alignment with the line of force acting throughthe pivot pin I8 of the pawl and the point of engagement of the forwardend of the pawl with the hook N5 of the trigger, the force moments arein equilibrium and the trigger holds the carrier head 53 in cockedposition.

In the target throwing trap for skeet shooting, the trigger 55 isadapted to be positively actuated by a trigger operating rod I20. Bydrawing this rod rearwardly, the hooked end N5 of the trigger will bedisengaged from the pawl, thereby releasing the carrier head 63whereupon the carrier 62 is swung counterclock wise with great rapiditydue to the force of the tensioned main spring I02.

If the construction includes a pawl guard as above described, the pawlguard finger I will function at this time to prevent the pawl tooth 83from engaging the teeth 92 of the ratchet disk. Due both to the frictionbetweenthe guard and the top surface of the disk 90 and the spacing ofthe guard stop I42 with respect to the leading edge of the carrier headweb I0 on release of the carrier head 63 from its cocked position, shownin Fig. 2a, the tooth 83 of the pawl is nabled to overtake the guardfinger I45 as the carrier head starts its swing counter-clockwise. Ifhaply the counterweighted pawl has not been swung outwardly bycentrifugal force sufficiently to clear the teeth of the ratchet disk90, then the pawl tooth 83 will ride up on the guard and thus passsafely over the ratchet teeth. Thereafter the pawl guard stop I42 isengaged by the leading edge of the web 10 and positively swung aroundwith the carrier head.

As the carrier head arrives at the limit of its throwing are which, inthe present embodiment, is at a point in its swing slightly beyond deadcenter, as shown in Fig. 2e, its angularly disposed shoulder 89 abutsthe shoulder II2 of the spring link II 0. It will be evident, therefore,that whereas th length of the lever arm connecting the spring I02 to thecarrier head 53 corresponded formerly to the distance from the carrierhead post 52 to the pivoted connection II4 of the spring link with thecarrierhead 63, the carrier head shoulder 89 and link shoulder II2 nowcooperate to form a lever equivalent in length to this distance plus thelength of the spring link I I0. And since any movement of the carrierhead 93 a material distance past dead center begins to tension thethrowing spring I02 through a lever arm of this increased length,further counterclockwise rotation of the carrier 62 is very rapidlydecelerated. The carrier head and carrier thereupon recoil clockwisefollowing a relatively short target throwing swing. On reversal in thdirection of swing of the carrier head 33, the frictional engagement ofthe guard member I31 with the upper surface of the ratchet disk 90 andthe spacing of the stop I40 with re spect to the returning edge of theweb I0 of the carrier head causes the guard to remain momentarilystationary whereupon the pawl tooth 83 moves back in advance of theguard finger I45 and is free to engage the teeth of the ratchet disk asthe carrier head 03 returns to its initial position. The guard issubsequently picked up by the returning edge of th web I0 and carriedback to its normal position shown in Fig. 2. Continued oscillation ofthe carrier 62 is prevented due primarily to engagementof' the pawl inthe teeth of the ratchet. When this occurs the counterclockwise rotationof the latter from its normal position, shown in Fig. 2, is prevented byengagement of .its lug 93 with the rear end I23 of the release latchI22, the latter being restrained from clockwise movement by abutting thefixed web 41 or other portion of the frame. The carrier can now berecocked as above described to repeat the cycle.

The device heretofore described is, as above noted, especially adaptedfor skeet shooting in which one target at. a tim is projected in onedirection only and various shooting angles are secured by movement ofthe shooter from one to another of several shooting posts. While.release of the trap is from a remote point, cookin of the trap .iseffected at the trap itself by manipulation of the lever I51) as abovedescribed.

In trap or straight trap shooting, it is necessary to provide anappliance in which the direction of target flight can be varied and alsoto provide for the simultaneous projection of two targets. Likewise,both cooking and release are 'eifectedxby remote control.

An appliance for this purpose will hereinafter be identified as :astraight trap" installation as distinguished from a skeet installation.The present invention readily lends itself to adaptation to a straighttrap installation, as illustrated in Figs. 8', 811,9 and 10.

The trigger 55 is urged to carrier releasing position by a spring I35joined to the trigger at l I9 and anchored to the frame at I35. Thus,the carrier head .and carrier :are released from cocked position toexecute their throwing movement whenever the ratchet disk 95 is fullyrestored to its normal position causing lug :93 to. rock the releaselatch I22. To provide :for increasing the tension on main spring {02 forthe throw-ingof doubles, said main spring is anchored to short arm I31of an elbow lever pivoted to the frame at H9 and provided witha long armI18, by man-i-pulat-ion of which the trap frame is oscillated to varythe angle of projection of single targets in the manner hereinafterdescribed. For the throwing of singles, lever I3II7-8 is in the positionillustrated in Fig. 8. The bracket I05 heretofore mentioned serves as aguard to prevent injury to the operator's hand in the event of breakageof the spring 102 and the leg 104 :of this guard likewise serves as anabutment to locate lever or handle I18 with respect to the trap frame.Increased tension necessary for throwing doubles is secured by movingthe lever I 3'I--I!-'8 to the position shown in Fig. 8a, in whichposition it is again retained by leg IM of guard W5.

To provide for projecting targets in varying directions, the base isdesigned to provide a turn table and an axis of rotation and the trapframe is provided with parts cooperating therewith. The base, identifiedby numeral I80, is provided with bolt receiving apertures MI, I42 and482, two of which are for convenient interchangeability placed in thesame relative positions as the corresponding bolt holes of the skeetinstallation.

The base I 80 is a substantially disk-shaped of the protuberance thereoffor receiving a, bolt I41 or other fastening means by which the stop maybe fixed at any point on the rim of the base.

Concentric with the rim and center post is an annular track I48 slightlyraised above the surface of the base and provided with a finishedsurface for supporting a turret or swivel base I49 which is adapted tobe rotatably mounted on the fixed base. The diameter of the swivel baseis less than the diameter of the fixed base 180,

thereby forming an annular space, see Fig. 9, be-

tween the periphery of the turret and the arcuate rim of the base. Anannular projection (not shown) having a finished surface is formed onthe underside of the turret and is adapted to ride on the finished track148 of the. fixed base.

Cast integral on the periphery of the turret disk is a radially disposedlug I86 which extends beyond the edge of the disk I49 into the annularspace between the turret and the rim of the base. The lug is adapted toabut the ends of the stops Hi6 and constitutes means for limiting therotation of the turret through an arc, the spread of which is determinedby the position of the adjustable stops the rim I84 of the base.

Located on the base adjacent one end of the rim are a pair of verticalears I52 cast integral with the base and provided with horizontallyaligned drilled holes. The ears constitute means for pivotallysupporting a brake member for holding the frame in a predeterminedposition on the base. The brake, as shown in Fig. 10, com-prises acasting I53 having an upright web portion I53 provided with a laterallyextending sector shaped plate -I'54l integral with its upper edge. Adrilled hole is formed the lower left-hand corner of the brake castingI53 so that the latter may be pivotally mounted between the ears I52 bya pin I55 driven axially through aligned holes of the ears and web. Thelower edge of the brake web is recessed to form a shoe I55 adapted tofrictionally engage the upper surface of the turret disk Hi9. It will beclear that by pivoting the brake I53 downwardly, the friction forcedeveloped between the turret disk I49 and brake shoe I55 will besufficient to hold the turret from turning on the base I80.

The turret is rotatably supported on the upstanding shaft 83 of the baseby means of a vert-ically drilled hub I57 which may be cast integralwith the turret disk I49 and is provided with laterally extending earsI58 each having a. horizontally drilled bolt hole. Supported on the earsof the hub is a bracket I59, see Fig. 9, which comprises a T-shapedcasting, the leg .160 of which is provided adjacent its lower edge witha horizontally spaced pair of apertures, one of which is a drilled holeI52 and the other an arcuate slot I53 of substantially 10 spread asindicated in Fig, 1-0. The leg IEII of the bracket is adapted to besecured to the ears I58 of the turret by suitable bolts .IM.

As in the sheet shooting trap, the arcuate slot I53 in the leg Ifill ofthe bracket enables tilting adjustment of the trap frame which issecured to the bracket I59 as described below. The cross piece M of theT-shaped bracket is provided adjacent its upper edge with a pair ofdrilled holes which are suitably spaced apart so as to be axiallyaligned with the drilled hole 59 and arcuate slot of the frame 35described above whereby the latter may be fastened to the bracket bysuitable bolts 34'. It will thus be evident that the frame 35 carryingthe target throwing mechanism may be used interchangeably with the skeetbase or 13 trap base. It will also be apparent that, the frame 35 beingrigidly connected to the turret I iB-l 51, said frame and the targetcarrier thereon can be moved about the vertical axis I83 to any desiredangular position, within the limits established by the setting of stopsI46. As above mentioned, the lever arm or handle H8 affords a convenientmanipuative device for thus varying the direction in which targets areprojected.

Pivotally supported on the flat top I54 of the brake is a yoke member I66 which is offset as shown. The rear end of the yoke is drilledvertically to receive a fastening means I61 for pivotally assembling theyoke on the brake at the apex portion thereof. The opposite end of theyoke is bifurcated, as shown at I69, and provided with a pair ofvertically drilled holes for pivotally connecting the cocking bar 91 andan operating rod I10 thereto by means of pins 91 and H59 re spectively.

When pull rod I is drawn to the rear, the brake shoe portion of memberI53 is pressed downwardly into braking engagement with the upper surfaceof disk its in the following manner. Rotation of the ofiset lever oryoke I66 about its pivot IE1 is resisted by main spring I02 actingthrough link 91 and associated parts. This effects a forward pull onpivot I61 and its support I54,but, since these parts can move only inrotation about pivot pin I55, their movement under the force appliedtothem is forwardly and downwardly in an are about pivot i55. Thismovement brings the underside of member I53 into firm engagement withthe upper surface of disk M9. Braking of the rotation of the turret isparticularly important when the frame is swung near its extreme rightposition for it will be seen that in this position the pivotalconnection 91' between the cooking bar 91 and yoke I65 will be moved toa position of substantially maximum disalignment with the center ofrotation I83 of the turret, thereby setting up a moment force tending toturn the turret and frame 35 from their predetermined position wheneverthe operating rod I10 is actuated.

The target throwing trap is cooked in substantially the same manner asthe skeet trap simply by drawing the cooking bar 91 rearwardly which, inthis instance, is done by drawing the operating rod I18 rearwardly untilthe carrier head 53 is locked in cocked position by the trigger 55.Thereafter the operator moves the operating rod I10 forwardly to returnthe ratchet disk 95 to its normal position. At a predetermined point inthe forward movement of the operating rod, the trigger will bedisengaged by the latch I22 in the manner described above whereupon thetrigger spring I35 will automatically pull the trigger out of engagementwith the pawl 11 and thus release the carrier head 63 and carrier 62. Toprevent automatic release of the trigger and as a safety feature, thehook 51', described above, may be moved manually into engagement withthe rear edge N1 of the trigger.

The angle of flight of the target is adjusted to any predeterminedposition'b the operator by means of the angling handle I18. The latteralso embodies a second function, namely that of set ting up the trap forthrowing doubles. It has been found that, for satisfactory performancein throwing doubles, it is desirable not only to increase the tensionforce of the main spring Hi2 but also to accelerate the carrier 62through a greater angle.

In the present embodiment, both of these function-s are accomplished byswinging the angling handle clockwise, see Fig. 811. after firstremoving the U-shaped bracket I05, until the handle I18 is substantiallyparallel to the frame 35. The U-shaped bracket is then replaced andeffectively locks the handle I18 in the doubles position. Since the trapis not angled when throwing doubles, the use of the handle for thispurpose can very well be dispensed with.

It will be evident that, in this position, the short 'arm I31 of thehandle has been turned clockwise so that its connection to the hookedend of the main spring I02 is displaced further from the axis ofrotation 52 of the carrier 62, thereby effectively lengthening the mainspring. Moreover, it will be clear that the angle between the carrier 62and the main spring, through which the force of the spring acts inaccelerating the carrier after release, has been materially increased.

What is claimed is:

' 1. A device for throwing targets comprising a base; a frame supportedon said base; a shaft supported in said frame; a carrier head having abevelled shoulder and target carrier and supportedon said shaft; a mainspring for rotating said carrier; means for cooking said carrier head inposition for rotation by said main spring; manually operated means forreleasing said cocked carrier head whereby said carrier head and carrierare accelerated by said main spring through a throwing arc; and a'linkconnecting said main spring to said carr er head, said link having abeve led shoulder adapted to cooperatively engage the bevelled shoulderof said carrier head when said carrier is at approx mately the end'ofits throwing arc to rapidly decelerate the carrier.

2. A device for throwing targets comprising a base; a frame su ported onsaid base; a shaft supported in said frame; a carrier head supported onsaid shaft, said head having a pawl pivotally mounted thereon providedwith a weighted portion eccentric to the pawl pivot and a target carrieron said head; a main spring for rotating said carrier head; carrier headcocking means comprising a toothed disk rotatable on said shaft, a toothof said disk being adapted to engage the counterweighted pawl of saidcarrier head; manually operated means for rotating said disk wherebysaid carrier head is carried into cocked position for rotation by saidmain spring; trigger means for securing said carrier head in cockedposition; and means for releasing said trigger means whereby saidcarrier head and carrier are accelerated by said main spring through athrowing arc, said carrier head pawl being, automatically held out ofengagement with said toothed d sk by the centrifugal force of theeccentrically pivoted weighted portion of said pawl while said carrieris swinging through said throwing arc.

3. A device for throwing targets comprising a base; a frame supported onsaid base; a carrier; means for rotatingly supporting said carrier on isaid frame; means for cooking said carrier comprising a resilientmember, a ratchet and a counterweighted paw1 pivotally mounted on saidcarrier; and means to release said cocked carrier whereby said carrieris swung by said resilient member through a throwin arc and returned toits uncooked position by said resilient member, said counterweightedpawl comprising a weighted portion eccentric to the pawl pivot andadapted to hold said pawl out of engagement with said ratchet bycentrifugal force while said carrier is swinging through said throwingarc and is returning to its uncooked position.

4. A device forthrowin targets comprising a base; a frame supported onsaid base; a carrier; means for rotatingly supporting said carrier onsaid frame; means for cocking said carrier comprising a resilientmember, a ratchet and a counterweighted pawl pivctally mounted on saidcar rier; means to release said cocked carrier whereby said carrier isswung by said resilient member s through a throwing arc; and meansassociated with said resilient member to rapidly decelerate said carrierat the end of its throwing arc and to return saidcarrier to its uncookedposition, Said counterweighted pawl comprising a weighted portioneccentric to the pawl pivot and adapted to hold said pawl out ofengagement with said ratchet by centrifugal force while said carrier isswinging through said throwing arc and is returning to its uncookedposition.

5. A device for throwing targets comprising a base; a frame supported onsaid base; a shaft supported in said frame; a carrier head having a pawland target carrier and supported on said shaft; a main spring forrotating said carrier head; carrier head cocking means comprising atoothed disk rotatable on said shaft, a tooth of said disk being adaptedto engage the pawl of said carrier head; manually operated means forrotating said disk whereby said carrier head is carried into cockedposition for rotation by said main spring; trigger means for securingsaid carrier head in cocked position; means for releasing said triggermeans whereby said carrier head and carrier are accelerated by said mainspring through a throwing arc; and means associated with said'tootheddisk and carrier head to guard the teeth of said disk from engagement bysaid N pawl during the acceleration of said carrier head and carrier.

6. A device for throwing targets comprising a base; .-a frame supportedon said base; *a'shaft supported for rotation in said frame; a carrierhead having a pawl and target carrier and supported on said shaft; amain spring for rotating said carrier head; carrier head cocking meanscomprising a toothed disk rotatable on said shaft, a tooth of said diskbeing adapted to engage the pawl of said carrier head; manually operatedmeans for rotating said disk whereby said carrier head is carried intococked position for rotation by said main spring; trigger means forsecuring said carrier head in cocked position; means for automaticallylocking said trigger means; and means for releasing said trigger meanswhereby said carrier head and carrier are accelerated by said mainspring through a throwing arc.

7. A device for throwing targets comprising a base; a frame supported onsaid base; a shaft supported in said frame; a carrier head having a pawland target carrier and supported on said shaft; a main spring forrotating said carrier head; carrier head cocking means comprising atoothed disk rotatable on said shaft, a tooth of said disk being adaptedto engage the pawl of said carrier head; manually operated means forrotating said disk whereby said carrier head is carried into cockedposition for rotation by said main spring; means for securing saidcarrier head in cocked position comprising a trigger pivoted to saidframe having a cam surface and a hook, said cam surface being adapted tobe engaged by said pawl to pivot said trigger hook into engagement withsaid pawl; and manually operated means for withdrawing said trigger hookfrom engagement with said pawl whereby said carrier head and carrier arereleased and accelerated by said main spring through a throwing arc.

8. A device for throwing targets comprising a base; a frame supported onsaid base; a shaft supported in said frame; a carrier head having a pawland target carrier and supported on said shaft; a main spring forrotating said carrier head; carrier head cocking means comprising atoothed disk rotatable on said shaft, a tooth of said disk being adaptedto engage the pawl of said carrier head; manually operated means forrotating said disk whereby said carrier head is carried into cockedposition for rotation by said main spring; means for securing saidcarrier head in cocked position comprising a trigger pivoted to saidframe having a cam surface and a hook, said cam surface being adapted tobe engaged by said pawl to pviot said trigger hook into position forengagement by said pawl; manually operated means for withdrawing saidtrigger hook from engagement with said pawl whereby said carrier headand carrier are released and accelerated by said main spring through athrowing arc; and means for locking the trigger hook in engagement withsaid pawl.

9. A device for throwing targets comprisin a base; a frame supported onsaid base; a shaft supported in said frame; a carrier head havinga pawland target carrier and supported on said shaft; a main spring forrotating said carrier head; carrier head cocking means comprising atoothed disk rotatable on said shaft, a tooth of said disk being adaptedto engage the pawl of said carrier head; manually operated means forrotating said disk whereby said carrier head is carried into cockedposition for rotation by said main spring; means for securing saidcarrier head in cocked position comprisin a trigger pivoted to saidframe having a cam surface and a hook, said cam surface being adapted tobe engaged by said pawl to pivot said trigger hook into position forengagement by said p wl; manually operated means for withdrawing saidtrigger hook from engagement with said pawl whereby said carrier headand carrier are released and accelerated by said main spring through a,throwing arc; and means associated with said toothed disk and carrierhead to guard the teeth of said disk from engagement by said pawl duringthe acceleration of said carrier head by said main spring.

10. A device for throwing targets comprising a base; a frame supportedon said base; a substantially vertical shaft supported in said frame; acarrier head having a pawl and target carrier and supported on saidshaft; a main spring for rotating said carrier head; means for cookingsaid carrier head; means for securing said carrier head in cockedposition comprising a trigger pivoted to said frame having a cam surfaceand a hook, said cam surface being adapted to be engaged by said pawl topivot said trigger hook into position for engagement by said pawl; andmanually operated means for withdrawing said trigger hock fromengagement-with said pawl whereby said carrier head and carrier arereleased and accelerated by said main spring through a throwing arc.

11. A device for throwing targets comprisin a base; a frame supported onsaid base; a substantially vertical shaft supported in said frame; acarrier head having a pawl and target carrier and supported on saidshaft; a main spring for re tating said carrier head; means for cockingsaid carrier head; means for securing said carrier head in cockedposition comprising a trigger pivoted to said framehaving a cam surfaceand a hook, said cam surface being adapted to be engaged by said pawl topivot said trigger hook into position for engagement by said pawl;manually operated means for withdrawing said trigger hook fromengagement with said pawl whereby said carrier head and carrier arereleased and accelerated by said main spring through a throwing arc; anda trigger locking latch pivotally mounted on said frame constructed andarranged to move into locking engagement with said trigger when thelatter is in engagement with said pawl.

12. A device for throwingtargets comprising a base; a frame supported onsaid base; a substantially vertical shaft supported in said frame; acarrier head having a pawl and target carrier and supported on saidshaft; a main spring for rotating said carrier head; means for cockingsaid carrier head; means for securing said carrier head in cockedposition comprising a trigger pivoted to said frame having a cam surfaceat its rear end and a cam surface and hook at its forward end, thecam'surface at its forward end being adapted to be engaged by the pawlto pivot the trigger hook into position for enagement by said pawl; atrigger locking latch pivotally mounted on said frame; resilient meansto automatically move said latch into engagement with the cam surface onthe rear end of said trigger when the trigger hook is in engagement withsaid pawl; means for withdrawing said trigger latch from engagement withsaid trigger; and manually operated means for withdrawing said triggerhook from engagement with said pawl whereby said carrier head andcarrier are released and accelerated by said main spring through'athrowing arc.

13. A device for throwing targets comprising a base; a frame supportedon said base; a shaft supported in said frame; a carrier head having apawl and target carrier and supported on said shaft; a main spring forrotating said carrier head; carrier head cocking means ccmprising atoothed disk rotatable on said shaft, a tooth of said disk being adaptedto engage the pawl of said carrier head; manually operated means forrotating said disk whereby said carrier head is carried intocockedposition for rotation by said main spring; trigger means forsecuring said carrier head in cocked position; means for releasing saidtrigger means whereby said carrier head and carrier are accelerated bysaid main spring through a throwing arc; means to guard the teeth ofsaid disk from engagement by said pawl during .the acceleration of saidcarrier head comprising a collar rotatable about said shaft having aguard finger overlying the teethof said disk; and means on said collarconstructed and arranged to be engaged by said carrier head wherebymovement of said carrier head relative to saidtoothed disk displacessaid'finger with respect to said teeth.

14. A device for throwing targets comprising a base; a frame supportedon said base; a shaft supported in said frame; a carrier head having apawl and target, carrier and supported on said shaft; a main spring forrotating said carrier head; carrier head cocking means comprising atoothed disk rotatable on said shaft, a tooth of said disk being adaptedto engage the pawl of said carrier head; manually operated means forrotating said disk whereby said carrier head is carried into cockedposition for rotation by said main spring; trigger means for securingsaid carrier head cocked position; means for releasing said 18 triggermeans whereby said carrier head and carrier are accelerated by said mainspring through a throwing are; means to guard the teeth of said diskfrom engagement by said pawl during the acceleration of said carrierhead and carrier comprising a collar rotatable about said shaft having aguard finger overlying the teeth of said disk; means on said collarconstructed and arranged to be engaged by said carrier head wherebymovement of said carrier head relative to said toothed disk displacessaid finger with respect to said teeth; and means associated with saidcarrier head and tooth guard constructed and arranged to provide lostmotion between said carrier head and guard on the reversal of movementof said carrier head.

15. A device for throwing targets comprising a base; a frame supportedon said base; a shaft supported in said frame; a carrier head having apawl and target carrier and supported on said shaft; a main spring forrotating said carrier head; carrier head cocking means comprising atoothed disk rotatable on said shaft, a tooth of said disk being adaptedto engage the pawl of said carrier head; manually operated means forrotating said disk wherecy said carrier head is carried into cockedposition for rotation by said main spring; trigger means for securingsaid carrier head in cocked position; means for releasing said triggermeans whereby said carrier head and carrier are accelerated by said mainspring through a throwing are; means to guard the teeth of said diskfrom engagement by said pawl during the acceleration of said carrierhead and carrier comprising a collar rotatable about said shaft having aguard finger overlying the teeth of said disk; stops of said tooth guardconstructed and arranged to be engaged by said carrier head; andresilient means associated With said carrier head and toothguard'constructed and arranged to hold said guard in frictionalengagement with said toothed disk. i i

16. A device for throwing targets comprising a base; a frame supportedon said base; a shaft supported in said frame; a carrier head having atarget carrierand supported on said shaft; a main spring for rotatingsaid carrier head; carrier head securing means; means for rotating saidcarrier head into engagement with said securing means; a latch pivotallymounted on said frame andiactuated by said carrier head rotating meansfor automatically locking said carrier head securing means; meanscarried by the carrier head rotating means adapted to displace saidlatch and thereby to unlock said carrier head securing means; andmanually operated means for releasing said cocked carrier head from theunlocked securing means whereby said carrier head and carrier areaccelerated by said main spring through a throwing arc.

17. A device for throwing targets comprising a base;a framesupported onsaid base; a shaft supported in said frame; a carrier head having a pawland target carrier and supported on said shaft; a main spring foractuating said carrier head; carrier head cocking means comprising atoothed -disk rotatingly mounted on said shaft, a tooth of .said diskbeing adapted to engage the pawl of said carrier head; manually operatedmeans for rotating said disk whereby said carrier head is carried intococked position for rotation by said main spring; trigger means forsecuring said carrier head in cocked position; means for automaticallylocking said trigger means comprising a latch pivotally supported onsaid frame 1e and a springto drawsaidlatch into engagement with saidtrigger means; and means on said toothed disk for positively moving saidlatch out of engagement with said trigger means.

18; A device for throwing targets comprising a base; a frame supportedon said base; a shaft supported in said frame; a carrier head having apawl and target carrier and supported on said shaft; a main spring forrotating said carrier head; carrier head cocking means comprising atoothed disk rotatable on said shaft, a tooth of said disk being adaptedto engage the pawl of said carrier head; manually operated means forrotating said disk whereby said carrier head is carried into cockedposition for rotation by said main spring; trigger means for securingsaid carrier head in cocked position; means for automatically lockingsaid trigger means comprising a latch pivotally supported on said frameand a spring to draw said latch into engagement with said trigger means;a lug on said toothed disk adapted to engage said latch and pivot saidlatch out of engagement with said trigger means; and manuallyoperated'means for releasing said trigger means.

19. A device for throwing targets comprising a base; a turret rotatablymounted on said base; a frame supported on said turret; a target carrierpivotally supported on said frame; a main spring for rotating thecarrier; manually operated means for cooking and releasing said carrier;and means actuated by said manually operated means to prevent rotationof said turret on said base when cooking said carrier.

20. A device for throwing targets comprising a base having adjustablestops supported thereon; a turret rotatably mounted on said base; meanson said turret'to engage said stops to limit the rotation of said turreton said base; a frame supported on said turret; a target carrierpivotally supported on said frame; a main spring for rotating thecarrier; manually operated means for cooking and releasing said carrier;and means actuated by said manually operated means to prevent rotationof said turret with respect to said stops when cocking'said carrier.

21. A device for throwing'targets comprising a base; a turret rotatablymounted on said base; a frame supported on said turretya target carrierpivotally supported on said frame; a" main spring for rotating thecarrier; manually operated means for cooking and releasing said carrier;a bracket pivotally supported on said base having a shoe engageable withsaid turret; and means connecting said bracket and said man'- uallyoperated means whereby said bracket is pivoted downwardly bymanipulation of said manually operated means to frictionally engage thebracket shoe with said'turret;

22. A device for throwing targets comprising a base; a turret rotatablymounted on said base; a frame supported on said turret; a target carrierpivotally supported on said frame; a main spring for rotating thecarrier; manually operated means for cocking and releasing said carrier;means actuated bysaid manually operated means to prevent rotation ofsaid turret on said base when cocking the said carrier; and means forrotating said turret on said base.

23. A target throwing trap comprising a base; a turret rotatably mountedon said base; a frame supported on. said turret; manually" operatedmeans supported on said frame forrotating said turret; a carrier headhaving a target carrier and pivotally supported on said frame; a mainspring for rotating said carrier head and carrier; and a main springguardsecured to said frame and constructed and arranged to locate saidmanually operated means with respect to said frame.

24. A target throwing trap comprising a base; a turret rotatably mountedon said base; a frame supported on saidturret; a manually operatedangling handle mounted on said frame for rotating said turret, saidangling handle comprising means to adapt said trap for throwing singlesand doubles; a carrier head having a carrier and pivotally supported onsaid frame; a main spring for rotating said carrier head and carrier;means for securing one end of said mainspring to said carrier head, saidspring being connected at its opposite end to said angling handle; andmeans for securing said angling handle in either of two positions onsaid frame whereby the tension of said main spring and the angle ofacceleration of said carrier are varied for throwing singles anddoubles.

25. A target throwing trap comprising a base; a turret rotatably mountedon said base; a frame supported on said turret; an angling handlesupported on said frame for rotating said turret, said angling handlehaving a tongue adapted to be swung from a normal position for throwingsingles to an angularly displaced position for throwing doubles; acarrier head having a carrier and pivotally mounted on said frame; amain spring for rotating said carrier head and carrier; means forsecuring one end of said main spring to said carrier head, said springbeing connected at its opposite end to said angling handle tongue; andspring. guard means mountable on said frame for securing said tongue inits normal and angularly displaced positions.

26. A device for throwing targets comprising a base; a frame supportedon said base; a shaft supported in said frame; a carrier head supportedon said shaft, said carrier head .havinga top planar surface inclined tosaid shaft both transversely and longitudinally; a carrier fastened tothe upper planar surface of said carrier head, the entire leading edgeof said carrier being in the plane of the transverse inclination. ofsaid planar surface; a main spring for rotating said carrier head; meansfor cocking said carrier head in position for rotation by said mainspring; and manually operated means for releasing said carrier head andcarrier.

27. In a device of the character described, means for throwing targetsat various angles and at various elevations throughout a target fieldcomprising means for cooking atargetcarrier; means actuated by saidcarriercocking means for locking the carrier in cocked position; meanscarried by said carrier cocking means to engage the locking means tounlock the. carrier; and means constructed and arranged to limit thespread of the throwing are by rapidly decelerating the carrier.

28. A device for throwing targets comprising a base; a frame; a carrier;means for rotatably supporting said carrier on said frame; means forcooking said carrier comprising a ratchet and a counterweighted pawlpivotally mounted on said carrier; a resilient member associated withsaid carrier; means to release said cocked carrier to enable saidcarrier to be swung by said resilient member through a throwing are,said counterweighted pawl comprising a weighted portion eccentric to thepawl pivot and adapted to automatically hold said pawl out of engagementwith said ratchet by centrifugal force while said carrier is swungthrough said throwing arc; and means adjustably mounted on said base forsupporting said frame, said mounting means having adjustable members foradjusting said frame with respect to said base.

29. A device for throwing targets comprising a base; a frame; means forsupporting said frame on said base comprising a turret rotatably mountedon said base; a shaft freely supported in said frame; a carrier headhaving a pawl and target carrier and supported on said shaft; a mainspring for rotating said carrier head; carrier head cocking meanscomprising a toothed disk rotatable on said shaft, a tooth of said diskbeing adapted to engage the pawl of said carrier head; manually operatedmeans for rotating said disk whereby said carrier head is rotated intococked position for rotation by said main spring; means actuated by saidmanually operated means to prevent rotation of said turret on said basewhen cooking said carrier; trigger means for securing said carrier headin cocked position; means ac tuated by said toothed disk toautomatically engage and lock said trigger means; and means forreleasing said trigger means whereby said carrier head and carrier areaccelerated by said main spring through a throwing arc.

30. A device for throwing targets comprising a base; a frame; means forsupporting said frame on said base comprising a turret rotatably mountedon said base; a shaft freely supported in said frame; a carrier headhaving a pawl and target carrier and supported on said shaft; a mainspring for rotating said carrier head; means for securing one end ofsaid main spring to said carrier head; a guard member fixedly mounted insaid frame and fastened to the opposite end of said main spring; carrierhead cocking means comprising a toothed disk rotatable on said shaft, atooth of said disk being adapted to engage the pawl of said carrierhead; manually operated means for rotating said disk whereby saidcarrier head is rotated into cocked position for rotation by said mainspring; means actuated by said manually operated means to preventrotation of said turret on said base when cocking said carrier; triggermeans for securing said carrier head in cocked position; means actuatedby said toothed disk to automatically engage and lock said triggermeans; and means for releasing said trigger means whereby said carrierhead and carrier are accelerated by said main spring through a throwingarc.

31. A device for throwing targets comprising a base; a frame; an elementmounted on said base for movement with respect thereto to support saidframe; means to limit the movement of said element with respect to saidbase; means carried by said element arranged to secure said framethereto; a shaft supported for rotation in said frame; a carrier headhaving a pawl and target carrier and supported on said shaft; a mainspring for rotating said carrier head; carrier head cocking meanscomprising a toothed disk rotatable on said shaft, a tooth of said diskbeing adapted to engage the pawl of said carrier head; manually operatedmeans for rotatin said disk whereby said carrier head is carried intococked position for rotation by said main spring; a trigger for securingsaid carrier head in cocked position; means for automatically lockingsaid trigger; and means carried by said frame and releasable on thereturn of said toothed disk to its normal position to release saidtrigger whereby said carrier head and carrier are accelerated by saidmain spring through a throwing arc.

32. A device for throwing targets comprising a base; a frame; an elementmounted on said base for movement with respect thereto to support saidframe; means to limit the movement of said element with respect to saidbase; means carried by said element arranged to secure said framethereto; a carrier; means to rotatably support said carrier on saidframe; means for cocking said carrier comprising a ratchet and acounterweighted pawl pivotally mounted on said carrier and a linkconnected at one end to said ratchet and at its opposite end to a crankmember pivotally mounted on said base; a resilient member associatedwith said carrier; and means carried by said frame and releasable on thereturn of said ratchet to its normal position to release said cockedcarrier to enable said carrier to be swung by said resilient memberthrough a throwing are, said counterweighted pawl comprising a weightedportion eccentric to the pawl pivot and adapted to automatically holdsaid pawl out of engagement with said ratchet by centrifugal force whilesaid carrier is swung through said throwing arc.

PETER B. RUTHERFORD.

DONALD R. LUS'IER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 313,804. Bloom Mar. 10, 1885344,504 Spangler June 29, 1886 827,413 Bowers July 31, 1906 841,423McCrea Jan, 15, 1907 985,651 Bennen Feb. 28, 1911 1,229,092 Kimble June5, 1917 1,292,825 Lord Jan. 28, 1919 1,499,845 Spangler July 1, 19242,136,035 Altemus et a1 Nov. 8, 1938

